episode_0222

After returning from their outing, the thought of the Ilsindang lingered in Violet’s mind.

“Ilsindang… What kind of guys are they, anyway?”

“Suspicious. They saw through our perception jamming device, didn’t they? That’s no ordinary special ability!”

No matter how much they mulled it over, it didn’t sit right.

For unawakened ordinary people, it’s not easy to see through a perception jamming device. The same goes for awakened individuals.

There are roughly three ways to recognize someone using perception-jamming magic.

Either someone who has frequently witnessed the use of perception-jamming magic and is accustomed to the unique sense of incongruity it creates.

Or an awakened wizard with extensive knowledge of magic that distorts perception.

Or, if not that, simply someone with enough skill to ignore magic altogether.

In any case, they were not ordinary people.

“Let’s dig through our knowledge!”

Violet searched through her memories in the network.

There was no yield. There were many villains in the world, but the name Ilsindang was completely new.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like one of the Three Great Clans…”

“A mid-to-small clan or a secret society? Or something else entirely?”

“Well, it’s clearly an unfamiliar group…”

Regardless, people like them roaming around the academy is not a good sign.

Just in case, she asked her friends the next day.

“People asking for surveys? Well, I haven’t seen them… Ah, I did hear rumors about them.”

“Outside the academy? No.”

Two opinions said they hadn’t seen them.

“Surveys? Oh, right. Strange folks keep clinging to me, saying they’ll give young students peace of mind or something…”

Kalia was also caught by them.

“I, I saw them too! Th-they kept telling me to follow them, and I said no… But they grabbed my bag and wouldn’t let me go! Bad guys!”

Levi also seemed to have been harassed by the strange survey.

“Bag? For storing the ballista?”

Oh dear, to think they tried to touch Levi’s most cherished possession.

“Yeah! So I told them if they kept b-bothering me, I’d shoot trash like them dead and get rid of them, and then they disappeared! H-how was it? Did I do well?”

“You did great!”

I praised our friend’s courage.

Should I ask the other male students later as well?

For now, there were two people she should inform without hesitation.

“Hello, Principal!”

I knocked politely and entered the principal’s office.

It might seem a bit odd for a first-year student to just waltz in, but the Principal knew Violet’s true identity.

He was the only one in the academy from whom they could seek cooperation.

“Ah, Violet. What brings you here?”

Fortunately, the Principal greeted her with a kind smile. I explained in detail about the suspicious individuals she had encountered outside the academy.

“Such a thing happened, did it? They called themselves Ilsindang?”

“Yes, they didn’t seem like ordinary swindlers. They’re suspicious!”

“Hmm… That’s concerning. Thank you for letting me know. We’ll need to strengthen security and crack down on the academy grounds for a while.”

Unlike his usual gentle expression, a faint shadow crossed the Principal’s face.

“As a matter of fact, we’ve already received reports. They say that suspicious individuals have been increasing recently, contacting students from academies in the southern district on the streets.”

After finishing his words, the Principal added a few more remarks, wondering if it might be proselytizing or some kind of fraudulent solicitation targeting awakened students.

“Should I handle them? I’ll dispose of them cleanly, either inside a dungeon or in the bottom of the sea.”

I proposed triumphantly, but Principal Brecht shook his head.

“No, Violet. This is not the time to act rashly. When you don’t know the opponent’s intentions, it’s necessary to be cautious.”

“I see.”

“I appreciate your understanding, but it would be better not to. The academy will set up countermeasures, so don’t worry. If something big happens, I’ll call you then.”

Unfortunately, the Principal dissuaded Violet from her righteous violent activities.

We had to put aside our desire to punish injustice.

“Understood…”

“Always act carefully in case of anything. If anything happens, let me know immediately.”

At the Principal’s urging, I nodded. At least, from the perspective of acknowledging and accepting the danger, I should view it positively.

As I stood up and bade farewell, another Violet moved her steps in the central district.

This was to inform the Audit Bureau of the seriousness of the situation and share information.

A moment later, Unit 2 sipped chocolate milk in the inspector’s office.

“So, Violet. What information are you going to share?”

I began to recount what had happened today.

The approach of suspicious people called Ilsindang, and even the fact that they had seen through Violet’s identity.

“They recognized you?”

“Yeah! I thought they were just ordinary swindlers, but they ignored my perception jamming device!”

“Is that so…”

The inspector’s gaze, lost in thought, sharpened. His steely eyes seemed to pierce through the air.

“The name Ilsindang, do you have any idea about it?”

“I can’t tell you the details. This is a name I’m hearing for the first time too. But… I can guess what might be behind it.”

“What is it?”

I asked several more times after that. Seijis avoided my gaze and only offered vague remarks.

“It’s not certain yet. For now, the Audit Bureau will handle it appropriately, so don’t worry too much. If necessary, I’ll step in myself.”

“…Alright. But can’t you explain a little? Who exactly is behind this?”

“I’ll send someone you know well to the academy first. Then there shouldn’t be a big problem. If push comes to shove, Miss Adela’s family or Helios’s forces…”

He initially pretended not to hear and tried to change the subject.

“Argh…”

When I showed my obvious irritation, only then did the inspector gaze at me.

“So, what do you know?”

The inspector replied.

“Wait, I can’t tell you yet.”

A firm answer; it was too obvious he was trying to hide something.

“I’ll keep it a secret, can’t you tell me?”

“I can’t. There’s nothing certain. I hope you understand.”

“It’s a very sensitive matter to discuss here. This is something that other people also…”

The inspector refused to answer. Would something big happen if I knew?

I tried to understand for a moment, but then suddenly my temper flared.

“It feels a little unfair. We told you as soon as we found out about this, can’t you at least give us a hint?”

“Stop it. I don’t have an obligation to tell you all my secrets.”

As soon as I heard his sharp refusal, my annoyance surged.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What?”

“I’m doing everything you tell me to, you know? I attend all my counseling sessions at the academy too! Before I do anything, I come and tell you every day. But why don’t you do the same?”

“I clearly told you why not just now—”

“Weren’t we on the same side?”

The brusquely spat words made his gaze meet mine for an instant. I saw his dark eyes waver slightly.

“…”

Silence hung in the air for a moment. The inspector’s lips repeatedly pursed and relaxed.

With a sigh, Seijis opened his mouth again.

“…I apologize if I caused a misunderstanding. It’s not because I don’t trust you, Violet.”

The inspector continued in a serious tone.

“However, the secrets I know are full of things that could put you in danger if you knew them. Even your friends. In the worst-case scenario, everything could be for naught.”

“Still—”

“It might be a shameless request, but please understand. When the right time comes, I’ll tell you everything you’re curious about. Just bear with it and wait until then.”

Rarely, his expressionless face was wavering slightly with agitation. At that sight, my resolve wavered.

“Alright. I won’t ask. But you have to explain everything later. Got it?”

In the end, I had no choice but to nod.

“Alright. I promise.”

As he stood up, the inspector urged.

“For now, it’s best to live as usual but keep an eye on your surroundings. Don’t go out of your way to find them. If what you say is true, they’re not ordinary individuals. And if you see any suspicious signs…”

The inspector said that and pulled something out onto the table, handing it over.

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll definitely contact you, so don’t worry too much! But what’s this?”

“Open it.”

I opened the box. And I marveled at the sweet scent wafting out.

Inside was a set of chocolates!

“Wow…”

“I bought it because you seem to like sweets.”

Unit 2 immediately popped the chocolate into her mouth. The sweet taste melted away our irritation like snow.

“Wow… this is nice.”

“Delicious!”

“I apologize again for earlier. How does it taste?”

“Good!”

Having received the apology, I felt better. It was definitely not because of the chocolate.

“Not bad!”

After finishing the report, we exited the Audit Bureau. Meeting the mascot friend again on the way out was a bonus.

“Hello, meow-meow!”

I waved at Milia. The inspector’s assistant stared at me and then shouted, as if annoyed.

“What? I’m not a cat!”

“Alright, Ttaekkeolluk!”

Before she could ask what Ttaekkeolluk was, I immediately left.

**

For about a week after that, nothing significant happened.

“What happened with the Ilsindang matter?”

“First, the soliciting around the academies in the south has decreased. They say it was the work of a criminal organization.”

In a recent interview, Principal Brecht said that and showed her a few articles.

[New multi-level marketing scheme rapidly spreading among students, arrests made last night… significant damage amount]

[Major crackdown on gang enticing academy students into organized crime]

It seemed that half of it was the work of swindlers luring awakened students blinded by money, and the rest were bad guys trying to tempt them down a dark path.

“However, we haven’t found an organization called Ilsindang. Upon investigation, it seems quite a few students from our academy, besides Miss Violet, have encountered them a few times. It seems they disappeared at some point. Without a trace.”

In that case, did we bark up the wrong tree?

“Still, we shouldn’t let our guard down. By the way, are you studying hard?”

“Yes!”

Violet hurriedly left the principal’s office. Unless there was a clear change, there were limits to acting directly.

Recently, two small variables emerged in academy life.

The first was that someone she knew had newly joined the academy.

“Violet, how is academy life?”

“It’s good!”

For some reason, Sophieel came in as a part-time lecturer. They say one of the academy instructors was hit in the knee by an arrow shot by a demon beast and was on temporary leave.

There must have been some discussion between the academy principal and Seijis.

“So the person the Audit Bureau sent was Big Sister!”

The second was club activities.

Even in the second semester of their first year, the students’ passion for recruiting new club members was fervent.

“What kind of club would be good?”

“Explosives Manufacturing Club!”

Imagining which club to join, we chuckled.

“Revolution Club!”

“Democracy Enthusiasts Club!”